Denton County shooting
DENTON – The driver shot by a Denton County sheriff’s deputy Monday after ramming his cruiser during a traffic stop has died.
Department spokesman Tom Reedy said Roberto Carlos Hernandez, 21, died at 9:30 p.m. Monday, about five hours after being shot.
At 4:30 p.m., Hernandez was in the passenger seat while Michael Chadwick Fry was behind the wheel of a white Honda Accord speeding westbound along FM 1173 at 4:30 p.m.
Reedy said the deputy clocked the vehicle above the speed limit and gave chase. The Accord sped off and turned into the driveway of a residence on the south side of the road near the Odneal Road intersection.
Fry then swapped places with Hernandez. The deputy parked his patrol car 20 feet behind the Accord and ordered the two to get out of the vehicle. Reedy said Hernandez then swung the Accord into reverse and accelerated toward the deputy, eventually slamming into his patrol car.
Reedy said the deputy shot at the driver, hitting Hernandez “several times.” He was taken to Presbyterian Hospital where he died.
The case has been turned over to the Texas Rangers, Reedy said. While he declined to identify the deputy, Reedy said he’s been a Sheriff’s Office employee since 2001 and on patrol as a deputy since 2007.
He’s been placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation wraps up. Fry was arrested for a probation violation on a conviction for driving while intoxicated.
